U.S. patent application number 10/657066 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for cup holder.
Invention is credited to Phillips, John O., Phillips, Peggi J..
Application Number | 20050051690 10/657066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34226488 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050051690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips, John O. ; et
al. |
March 10, 2005 |
Cup holder
Abstract
A cup holder for holding a container or drink on seats in
arenas, stadiums and other public venues. The holder has an
engagement portion that holds the rear side of the seat, a basket
for holding a container therein and a strip extending therebetween.
The holder is provided with a hinge between the basket and the
strip to allow the holder to be collapsed. The holder further is
provided with a flange for preventing rearward movement of the
holder when it is attached to a seat. The strip may be a set length
or may comprise a pair of telescoping members to allow for the
holder to fit over varying seat widths.
Inventors: |
Phillips, John O.; (Tupelo,
MS) ; Phillips, Peggi J.; (Tupelo, MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth J. Whittington
STEVENS DAVIS MILLER & MOSHER, LLP
Suite 850
1615 L Street NW
Washington
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
34226488 |
Appl. No.: |
10/657066 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20130101; A47C
7/68 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/08 |
Claims
1. A holder for a container in association with a seat, comprising:
a receptacle for holding the container near a front portion of the
seat engaging the container at a level below an upper surface of
the seat, the receptacle extending below the upper surface of the
seat; a strip extending from the receptacle, and having a first
portion extending upwardly from the receptacle and a second portion
extending horizontally from the first portion and abutting the
upper surface of the seat; and a U-shaped member for engaging a
rear portion of the seat preventing movement of the strip and
holder in a direction towards the front portion of the seat and
preventing vertical movement of the strip near the rear portion,
wherein the strip comprises a first length and a second length
slidably joined together allowing for a length of the strip to be
slidably adjusted.
2. The holder as described in claim 15, wherein the receptacle can
rotate about the axis from a first position when the receptacle is
in an operational position and a second position when the
receptacle abuts an underside of the strip.
3. The holder as described in claim 2, wherein the receptacle has a
sidewall that includes a tab projecting perpendicularly from the
sidewall for engaging a slot in the strip.
4. The holder as described in claim 3, wherein the tab engages the
slot when the receptacle is in the second position.
5. The holder as described in claim 1, wherein the strip first
portion and the strip second portion are hinge coupled together
about an axis for permitting the receptacle to rotate about the
axis from a first position when the receptacle is in an operational
position and a second position when the receptacle abuts an
underside of the strip, wherein the receptacle comprises.div.an
engagement means for engaging the container; and further comprising
a flange spaced apart from the engagement means and the U-shaped
member the flange for preventing movement of the strip and
receptacle in a direction towards the rear portion of the seat, the
flange consisting essentially of a single layer, and optionally a
tab protruding perpendicularly from the flange for engaging an
optional slot in the strip second portion.
6. The holder as described in claim 5, wherein the flange includes
a the tab and the slot in the strip.
7. The holder as described in claim 6, wherein the tab engages the
slot when the holding means is in the second position.
8. The holder as described in claim 1, wherein the strip first
portion and the strip second portion are hinge coupled together
about an axis.
9. The holder as described in claim 8, further including a means
for providing a friction contact between the first length and
second length.
10. (Canceled)
11. A holder for a container in association with a seat,
comprising: a receptacle for holding the container near a front
portion of the seat engaging the container at a level below an
upper surface of the seat; a strip extending from the receptacle
and abutting the upper surface of the seat; means for engaging a
rear portion of the seat preventing movement of the strip and
receptacle in a direction towards the front of the seat and
preventing vertical movement of the strip near the rear portion;
and a flange extending from the strip, and spaced apart from the
engagement means and the U-shaped member the flange for preventing
movement of the strip and receptacle in a direction towards the
rear portion of the seat the flange consisting essentially of a
single layer, and optionally a tab.
12. The holder as described in claims 1, wherein the strip
comprises a first length and a second length slidably joined
together allowing for a length of the strip to be slidably
adjusted.
13. The holder as described in claim 11, further including a means
for providing a friction contact between the first length and
second length.
14. The holder as described in claim 11, wherein the engaging means
is a U-shaped member engaging the rear portion of the seat.
15. The holder as described in claim 1, wherein the strip first
portion and the strip second portion are hinge coupled together
about an axis for permitting the receptacle to rotate about the
axis from a first position when the receptacle is in an operational
position and a second position when the receptacle abuts an
underside of the strip.
16. The holder as described in claim 1, wherein a hinge runs
transversely along the strip first portion forming an axis for
permitting the receptacle to rotate about the axis from a first
position when the receptacle is in an operational position and a
second position when the receptacle abuts an underside of the
strip.
17. A holder for a container in association with a seat,
comprising: a receptacle for holding the container near a front
portion of the seat engaging the container at a level below an
upper surface of the seat, the receptacle extending below the upper
surface of the seat; a strip extending from the receptacle, and
having a first portion extending upwardly from the receptacle and a
second portion extending horizontally from the first portion and
abutting the upper surface of the seat; and a U-shaped member for
engaging a rear portion of the seat preventing movement of the
strip and holder in a direction towards the front portion of the
seat and preventing vertical movement of the strip near the rear
portion, wherein a hinge runs transversely along the strip first
portion forming an axis for permitting the receptacle to pivot
about the axis to rotate about the axis from a first position when
the receptacle is in an operational position and a second position
when the receptacle abuts an underside of the strip.
18. The holder as described in claim 17, wherein the strip first
portion and the strip second portion are hinge coupled together
about an axis for permitting the receptacle to rotate about the
axis from the first position when the receptacle is in an
operational position and the second position when the receptacle
abuts an underside of the strip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a cup holder for holding a cup or
other drinking container on a seat, such as a stadium bench seat, a
folding seat and various other seats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A problem that exists in many public events is the lack of
holders for placing drinks. A number of venues, such as
professional sports arenas, outdoor theatres, and high school and
local sports parks, provide bench type seating for the spectators,
wherein the spectators sit on long benches, each spectator sitting
in close quarters to the spectator directly on either side. Other
venues provide for folding chairs where each spectator has his or
her own chair. Naturally, spectators would like to have a beverage
of some sort to enjoy during these performances. However, the
crowded nature of the seating arrangements and/or the lack of any
holder for drinks requires placing the beverages on the ground,
wedging them in between spectators, placing them in precarious
positions, or holding them for the duration of the event, all of
which can lead to spilled drinks or the drinks simply being in the
way.
[0003] Other prior art devices have attempted to adequately provide
a holder for such drinks. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,104,
issued to Hanson et al., which is incorporated herein in its
entirety. Hanson et al. discloses a combined seat and container
holder that consists of an engagement portion that engages the back
surface of the seat, a rigid member extending across the seating
surface of the seat and a holder for holding a drinking container.
The holder can fit between spectators out of the way on the seat.
The fan may also sit directly on holder. A problem with this
holder, however, is that it holds an upper portion of the container
above the seating surface in the way of a spectator sitting near
the holder with a container therein, requiring the holder to be
placed between spectators or between the legs of a spectator
sitting on the seat. A further problem with such a holder is that a
minor bump against the holder pushing the holder in a direction
towards the rear portion of the seat would unhook the engagement
portion from the seat causing the holder to fall from the seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus an object of this invention to overcome the
problems associated with the prior art and provide a cup holder for
bench or folding seats that can effectively hold a beverage without
the holder interfering with the spectator sitting in the seat and
to provide a holder that cannot easily be bumped off the seat.
[0005] These and other objects are carried out and the problems
overcome with a holder having a basket for holding the container
near a front of the seat, a strip extending from the basket
extending along the upper surface of the seat and a u-shaped
portion engaging a rear portion. The basket holds the container
lower than the seating surface to prevent the holder or the drink
from interfering with the spectators sitting near the holder. The
lower held basket also prevents the holder from being inadvertently
moved towards the rear of the seat, preventing the u-shaped portion
from disengaging from the seat. The u-shaped portion at the rear
portion of the holder prevents the strip from coming off the seat
and provides leverage to hold the container.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, basket is hinge coupled to the
strip to allow for the holder to be folded for easier storage and
carrying. A tab on the basket engages a slot in the strip so that
the basket can be locked against the strip.
[0007] In another preferred embodiment, the holder has a flange
portion that extends a distance from the basket. The flange
prevents the holder from being inadvertently moved towards the rear
of the seat, preventing the u-shaped portion from disengaging from
the seat. It also allows for the container to be held by the holder
a distance from the seat.
[0008] In another preferred embodiment, the basket and the flange
are hinge coupled to the strip allowing for the holder to be folded
for easier storage and carrying. A tab on the basket engages a slot
in the strip so that the flange and basket can be locked against
the strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A description of the invention will follow with references
to several drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a bench seat;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the holder shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the holder shown in FIG. 1 in a
folded position;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a holder according to
another embodiment of the invention mounted on a folding seat;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the holder shown in FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the holder shown in FIG. 4 in a
folded position;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a holder according to
another embodiment of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a close up view of the slidable members of the
holder shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] A holder according to a first embodiment of the invention is
shown in FIG. 1. The holder 100 comprises generally an engagement
end 110, a central strip 120 and a basket 130. The holder 100 fits
on the top, front and rear side of a seat. A bench seat having a
rectangular cross section is shown in dotted lines in the figure
for reference, however, it should be noted that the holder 100 can
be adapted to fit over a plurality of seating surfaces, such as
bench seats, foldable seats, padded seats, etc. or any other seat
having a generally rectangular cross section, see for example, a
folding seat shown in FIG. 4.
[0019] The holder 100 can be made of metal, plastic or any other
material sufficient to clip the holder onto a seat and hold a
container. Preferably the holder 100 is made of plastic via plastic
injection molding.
[0020] The engagement end 100 has a generally u-shaped profile with
a vertical wall 111 and a bottom wall 112 that fits around the rear
and lower surface of the seat. These walls, in conjunction with a
rear section 121 of strip 120 prevents the strip and the basket 130
from moving toward the front of the seat and prevents the strip at
its rear section from vertically moving away from the seat. Such
features keep the holder 100 in place and provide sufficient
leverage for the basket 130 to hold a container without the holder
coming off the seat.
[0021] The basket 130 is generally cup shaped having four ribs 131,
132, 133 and 134 along a length thereof and a bottom portion 135
forming a cross shape. Other numbers of ribs and bottom shapes can
be used as well. The shape allows the basket 130 to adequately hold
various shapes of containers and beverages. While this specific
basket shape is used, various other shapes may also be used, such
as a ring shaped holder (shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,104,
discussed above), a ring in conjunction with a flange, a tapered
cylinder, a ring having an embedded ring, and other basket shapes
known to those in art and are capable of holding a drink
container.
[0022] Connecting the cup shaped portion of the basket 130 to the
strip 120 is a neck portion 136. The neck portion 136 if preferably
made of a sufficient length to hold the container at a level below
the seating surface. The neck portion 136 abuts the front surface
of the seat making it capable of preventing the holder 100 from
moving towards the rear. This additionally prevents the holder 100
from inadvertently being knocked from the seat by bumping the
holder.
[0023] The strip 120 is an elongated piece of material that extends
between the basket 130 and the engagement portion 110. As shown the
strip 120 has a generally flat rectangular shape, however, it
should be noted that other shapes are possible as long as it
provides proper leverage between the basket and engagement portion
to allow for the holder to hold a container. For example, the strip
can be an elastic piece of material or a flexible material. The
strip 120 should be of such a material to transfer the weight on
the holder 100 holding a container to the rear engagement end.
[0024] The hinge mechanism, described in reference to FIGS. 1, 2
and 3, comprises a hinge 140 mounted between the neck portion 136
of basket 130 and the strip 120. The hinge 140 can be a traditional
hinge affixed to the neck portion 136 and the strip 120 to allow
each of the basket 130 and the strip to rotate about an axis formed
by the hinge. Preferably the hinge 140 is made via the molding
process by providing a weak area of plastic between thicker areas,
allowing the weak area to break down when a bending action is
performed on the holder. The hinge 140 may also be made by
injecting a soft, more flexible plastic during the injection
molding process.
[0025] The hinge 140 allows the basket 130 to rotate about the axis
between a first position, shown in FIG. 2 wherein the basket is
relatively perpendicular to the strip 120, to a second position,
shown in FIG. 3 wherein the basket is relatively parallel to the
strip. When the holder is in the second position, it is more
compact allowing for easier carrying and packing of the holder when
it is not in use.
[0026] To provide a locking mechanism to secure the holder in the
second position, the basket has a tab 137 that operates in
conjunction with a slot 122 in the strip. The tab 137 has a
protrusion 138 that passes through the slot 122 and prevents the
tab from being pulled back through the slot without a manipulation
of the tab to align the protrusion with the slot. When a user of
the holder folds the holder for storage or transport, the basket is
rotated into the second position. The tab 137 with its protrusion
passes through the slot until the second position is achieved. At
this point the protrusion is abutting an outer surface 123 of
strip, which locks the holder in the second position. To unlock the
holder, the user must push the protrusion in the upper direction,
shown in FIG. 3 by arrow U which releases the tab 137 from the slot
allowing the basket 130 to move away from the strip 120.
[0027] A second embodiment of the holder is shown in FIGS. 4-6. It
has a similar design for the engagement portion 110, the strip 120
and the basket 130, so a discussion of these features will not be
repeated herein. This embodiment has a flange 150 extending from an
under surface of strip 130 and running parallel to basket 130. The
flange 150 is preferably made of similar material as the other
components of the holder. It has a generally planar shape, but
round or other shapes are also possible.
[0028] In use the flange 150 provides an abutment surface to
prevent the strip from moving in relation to a seating surface when
the holder is attached to a seating surface. The holder is shown in
use in FIG. 4, and is attached to a folding seat (shown in dotted
lines). The engagement portion 110 is engaged to a rear side of the
seat while the flange 150 abuts the front side of the seat. The
components together prohibit movement in the direction of arrow P.
Such allows for the holder to remain firmly in place and allows for
the basket to have varying shapes and be extended a distance away
from or below the seat surface.
[0029] In a further embodiment the holder has a hinge 141 between
the flange and the strip 120. The hinge 141 operates in a similar
manner and can be made of similar materials or made by similar
processes as disclosed above. It allows rotation of the basket 130
and the flange 150 with respect to an axis formed by the hinge 141,
allowing the basket and the flange to be folded against the strip,
as shown in FIG. 6.
[0030] The hinge further has a locking mechanism comprising a tab
151 having a protrusion 152 on the flange 150 that fits into a slot
123 of the strip 120. The properties and operation are similar to
the tab and slot design of the previous embodiment, thus a detailed
description will not be repeated.
[0031] In an additional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
holder is slidable to allow for the holder to fit on a variety of
seat widths or types. The strip 130 is provided with two slidable
members 125 and 126 which overlap or telescope into each other
horizontally. A sufficient amount of friction between the
telescoping members would allow them to remain connected when the
holder is in use.
[0032] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated in detail regarding specific examples of cup holders,
such explanations are to be clearly understood that the same are by
way of illustration and example only, and are not to be taken by
way of limitation. Other modifications of the above examples, which
may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art, remain
within the scope of the invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of
the present invention should be defined only by the terms of the
claims.
* * * * *